Parliament relocates to Conference Centre

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has settled on the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre for the House's recall on September 3, 2024, following the renovation of the main chamber.

This is according to Article 112(3) of the 1992 Constitution.

The main chamber of the House is being refurbished at € 2.26 million to modernise activities and produce seamless parliamentary work.

The Majority caucus recently requested for a recall of the House to deal with pertinent government businesses which constitutionally mandates the Speaker to heed to the call.

The seats and equipment in the chamber have all been removed to allow for an upgrade of the conference system.

And in doing so, the old cables which have been in existence since 2014 are being changed.

"The average lifespan of such cables is between 10 and 15 years," the Acting Director of ICT in Parliament, Lesley Addico, said when he took the Speaker around yesterday to inspect the progress of work.

Works, changes

The underlying cables are all being changed to introduce a biometric feature that will allow MPs to register their attendance electronically.

The new system, which is said to be the first within the sub-region, would enable Pl electronic voting using the biometric system.

The "tabletop" old system is to give way to a new one fitted inside the table with a 15-inch screen like a laptop.

It comes with a microphone and a touch screen to allow MPs to have access to votes and proceedings, order papers, committee reports and all parliamentary documents.

Under the new system, the Table Office and other officers of Parliament would be allowed to upload all reports onto it. 

As part of the new features, broadcasting quality cameras are to be installed with cables to the control room into the video production system where journalists could receive their feeds.

Project

The project is being undertaken by African Bagg Limited, an indigenous Ghanaian firm.

The company is expected to get the place ready before the end of October for the third meeting to commence.